Shopping for groceries in Iran is very different than it is in Western countries.
Bahar Anooshahr has written a fascinating article on this topic. She writes from the perspective of a visitor to Iran for whom shopping there is a new experience.
Here is a taste of what she says:
"In Iran large supermarkets are rare. As a matter of fact in Tehran I only saw two supermarkets. It is much more common to have small specialty shops: groceries, produce shops, butcher shop, bakeries, etc. Colorful little stores full of noise and energy."
Enjoy reading the entire article here.